Church History Museum Exhibit Unwraps Christmas Spirit

November 23, 2013–January 12, 2014

Date

November 23, 2013–January 12, 2014

Location

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Artwork and artifacts in the Church History Museum’s Christmas exhibit portray the life of Jesus Christ. The stories behind the artwork and artifacts exemplify actions rendered with Christlike love. Photo courtesy of the Church History Museum.

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An exhibit titled A Good Turn Christmas opens November 23, 2013 at the Church History Museum. This year’s theme for the annual Christmas exhibit focuses on the Christlike act of doing service and relates to the Boy Scout Slogan to do a good turn daily. The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of doing good to others. The exhibit will remain open through January 12, 2014.

The artwork and artifacts in A Good Turn Christmas portray the birth of Jesus Christ, including several unique crèches (nativity sets) from around the world. At the same time, these artifacts exemplify good turns done. For example, one crèche was made by the Happy Factory. The Happy Factory’s founder, Charles Cooley, started this nonprofit organization in Cedar City, Utah, as a way to deliver wooden toys to children in need. To date, over 1,140,000 Happy Factory toys have been given to more than 600 different organizations, groups, and people in 180 countries. The Happy Factory crèche exemplifies the Savior’s love, and the museum hopes to instill within visitors the desire to likewise do a good turn.

Another artifact on display that represents good turns is a walking cane. In the 1840s, Joseph Smith Jr. saw Joseph Knight Sr. hobbling down a street in Nauvoo. Smith approached his longtime friend and offered this cane to him, saying that Joseph Knight Sr. needed it more than he did. Smith’s gift displayed the Christmas spirit of showing kindness to all men.

The museum invites the public to come ponder the love Christ has for them and how they can show that love to others. The Church History Museum is free and open to the public. The museum is located at 45 North West Temple Street in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information please call 801-240-4615.